A Ravalli County doctor is facing homicide charges for allegedly over prescribing pain medications. Dr. Chris Arthur Christensen was arrested early Thursday morning at his home in Florence.
He’s accused of two counts of negligent homicide for the drug-related deaths and 9 counts of criminal endangerment. Christensen also faces hundreds of counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs.
The task force that investigated Christensen found he didn't provide adequate patient exams, tests or evaluations before prescribing drugs. It also maintains he would offer some patients a "menu" of medications and allow the patient to select his or her own prescription. It says he would also sometimes refer to the medications he'd prescribe by both their street names and prices.
Christensen's Big Creek Family Medicine Clinic was raided in 2014 and his license was suspended.The clinic is now closed. He was later authorized to return to practicing medicine with certain restrictions on his ability to treat patients and prescribe controlled substances.
A representative of Christensen's attorney, John Smith of Missoula, says neither he nor his client have any comment at this time.
Deputy Ravalli County Attorney Thorin Geist says Christensen will make his initial court appearance Friday afternoon.
[Updated 08/27/15 4:25 to note that Christensen and his attorney declined to comment]
